A JOURNEY BACK TO THE PLAYGROUND
A pleasant noise fills the air, the sound of joyful kids at the playground, laughter and shouts echoing around, it was an infectious happiness, and nearly impossible not to evoke a smile and instantly transport you back to your own childhood, where you previously experienced unblemished and unfiltered happiness. An immaculate happiness, unaffected even by the harsh calls of a mother summoning you inside the house, or her admonishments for your effervescent way of living life, or even for the idea that you are now considered to be too old for playground.
There was a girl around 8 years old, svelte and a little bit to tall for her age, with blond, long hair, forming gentle curls at the ends, framing her face with a touch of fragility. Wearing a white skirt with red polka dots, white t-shirt, and long white socks matched with sandals, she seemed to be straight out of a fairy tale. Her angelic face was radiating happiness and enthusiasm for this life in the most remarkable way possible. No one could have said that years later, this child would have become fearful and sensitive to the judgment of those around her, and no one could have said that this overflowing energy would have been well hidden.
And yet, in that moment, the joy was abundant and contagious. She felt like she could move any mountain she wanted, like she was exactly what she needed to be, true to herself, no censorship, no judgement, her authentic version, fully embraced and purely guided by her free-spirited soul. Energies synchronized with those of her friends and it seemed like she was living the best time of her life. Never wanted for that moment to end, at least until she will be down from exhaustion. But how could you drop from exhaustion when this is giving you so much precious energy? When you nourish yourself with this energy and require nothing else. When you recognize the beauty and charm life possesses, and when those around you on the playground are drawn to your radiance, embracing your authentic self becomes the paramount step towards genuine self-love. And this is the receiving love moment.
But to experience this moment of absolute happiness in adulthood, alongside the good and right people, allowing yourself to be joyfully exuberant, you can only be grateful that you can experience the moment of giving love.
I can’t remember the last time I allowed my inner child to roam freely in real life, even though she often does so in my imagination. In reality, it’s a rare occurrence. I’m too anxious about the judgment of others, fearing that the energy I radiate and conceals would be too difficult for those around me to accept or understand. Perhaps that’s why, almost unnoticed, the child gravitated towards those who embraced her true self and that emotion felt extraordinary.
It wasn’t only one day of play at the park, it was a complete holiday filled with joy, play, and boundless happiness. Entire days unfolded seamlessly, without interruption, without parental reminders that you are a grown up woman or any other interruptions from reality. Those were days when you woke up knowing that the day ahead would be filled with continuous play. It encapsulated everything a child could desire: the freedom to play and the assurance of being loved and cherished.
I savored every moment of that “vacation” to its fullest, fully aware that it would eventually come to an end. It’s unrealistic to expect life to be an unending frenzy of happiness, yet I am immensely thankful for experiencing it and for embracing its presence in my life, allowing me to feel loved.
Sweetheart, this was just a glimpse of how life ought to be, a cornerstone!
P.S. Exactly what I needed, just enough to awaken me to the truth that happiness stems from simplicity, from connections with other people, from the capacity to both give and receive love.
You are exactly what is needed!
Hey, love, I am ready now!
this song…
